Children enjoyed a day of pond dipping, football and arts and crafts as part of a national stand against Government education policy which they say is ruining the school experience for young people.

Mum Teresa Quarmby, whose children attend the Robert Arkenstall School in Haddenham, was among parents across the country who organised a one day peaceful protest by taking youngsters out of class for the day.

Children were taken out of school as part of the national Let the Kids Be Kids campaign.

She organised a meet up at Fairchilds meadows in Haddenham with picnic, pond dipping, football, arts and crafts and den building.

“This is not us going against the school or teachers in any way they are amazing but against the Government.”

A spokesman for the national campaign said the event was one of many across the country staged by parents who are: “sick and tired of complaining,” about an education system which they believed was “destroying the joy of learning and causing stress to children.”

The spokesman said: “All over the country parents will be joining forces in local parks, local museums, local nature reserves to engage their children in a day of children’s activities.

“A day off school to let kids be kids.”

The day was organised for parents who feel that the National Curriculum Tests (SATS) or homework levels are inappropriate and who do not agree with academies running schools.